2 ANALYTICAL MODELS FOR THE ANALYSIS OF A TETHERED SATELLITE SYSTEM IN ATMOSPHERE

A tethered satellite system to be flown in the relatively dense atmosp here is considered. The relevant dynamic problem is characterised by s trong non-linearities due mainly to aerodynamic effects. Two mechanica l models, with different degrees of fidelity, are developed for analys ing the static equilibrium of the system; the former assumes a straigh t tether while the latter treats the tether as a perfectly flexible co ntinuum. Both of them model the tether as an elastic continuum with ma ss and aerodynamic forces distributed along the system. The results of the first model, which are an approximation of the system behaviour, are used as a starting point for the numerical procedure adopted for c omputing more accurately the tether shape with the flexible model.